Scotland's traditional New Year's celebration is called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay refers to the Scottish observance of the year's final night and the celebrations surrounding the arrival of January 1. Customs include singing “Auld Lang Syne,” first-footing, street parties, torchlight events, and gatherings involving music and dancing. Edinburgh hosts one of the best-known modern Hogmanay programs, but the name applies throughout Scotland.
First-footing is the tradition of being the first person to enter a household after midnight. In older customs, the visitor might bring symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread, or whisky. Regional practices differ, and not every modern event follows the older rules.
Hogmanay is sometimes confused with Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25. Burns wrote or adapted the words of “Auld Lang Syne,” but Burns Night and Hogmanay are separate occasions. The distinctive Scottish name for New Year's festivities is Hogmanay.